Rising numbers of universities are using data on students' familylife, parental education and school type as part of the admissions process, research shows.
 
More than one-in-four institutions admitted carrying out more background checks on applicants this year amid Government pressure to boost access to university.
 
The rise coincides with a decision to almost triple the cap on annual tuition fees in England to a maximum of £9,000 for students starting university this year.